US administration calls out Pakistan's sham Hafiz Saeed arrest, says 'previous arrest hasn't made a difference' even as Donald Trump takes credit

Days ahe of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan visits US, Trump ministration on Friday expressed doubts over Pakistan's intentions in arresting terrorist Hafiz Saeed, mastermind of 2001 Indian Parliament attack and 2008 Mumbai attack, saying his previous arrests me difference eir to his activities or that of his outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed who is also a UN-designated terrorist was arrested on Wednesday -- seventh times since December 2001, when he was nabbed in immediate aftermath of terrorist attack on Indian Parliament.

"We've seen this happen in past. And we have been looking for sustained and concrete steps, t just window dressing. Quite frankly, previous arrest of Hafiz Muhammed Saeed hasn't me a difference and LeT has been has been able to operate. So we're monitoring situation. Pakistan really needs to prove that this time y are something different," a senior ministration official told reporters Friday.

"I ticed that Pakistan has taken some initial steps such as pledging to seize assets of some of se terrorist groups. And, of course, y put under arrest yesterday Hafiz Muhammed Saeed, leer of Lashkar-e-Taiba which is responsible for 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. That is why we are very clear eyed and realistic when you see him arrested" as he has been arrested and released in past. So we would look to see that Pakistan take sustained action in actually prosecuting se people," official ded.

This comes despite US President taking to Twitter to call him a 'so called mastermind' and taking credit of arrest. 

Imran Khan, 66-year-old cricketer-turned politician, is scheduled to meet Trump at his Oval Office on Monday, first by a Pakistani leer in nearly four years, last one being that of Nawaz Sharif in October 2015. He is travelling to US at an invitation by Trump and ministration is preparing to give him a warm welcome which includes a tritional welcome at White House, one--one meeting at Oval Office and a working luncheon in presence of several of his Cabinet colleagues and leers from Pentagon.

RE: Donald Trump slammed for factually suicidal Hafiz Saeed tweet, netizens correct US President on Pakistan's terror mastermind

Meanwhile, ahe of visit, a senior ministration official ruled out lifting suspension of security aid to Pakistan unless it is sees sustained, decisive and irreversible action against terrorist and militant groups. "As you kw, we suspended security assistance to Pakistan in January 2018. And As of w, re's change to that policy," official said in response to a question.

DONALD TRUMP'S STAND ON PAKISTAN

Donald Trump has sternly and publicly called out Pakistan's hand in terror funding rar than terror fighting, on multiple occasions. Back in vember, Trump engaging in a twitter brawl with Khan over Pakistan giving shelter to former Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Len. He proclaimed how United States refuses to pay billions to India’s neighbour as re is thing in return. Claiming Pakistan to be one of those countries who gave thing in return, even cited Osama bin Len and Afghanistan as an example.

US Department of Treasury has designated Hafiz Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. Also United States, since 2012, has offered a USD 10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice.

(with PTI inputs)